Week 2 Predictions

Well the college football season is officially underway and Week 1 did not disappoint. Unfortunately for me, I was working all weekend so got to see very little of the games but from what I did see from highlights and what I've read and heard, week 1 was a pretty good one. I don't think anyone on the planet anticipated how good Texas A&M and Sophomore QB Kenny Hill would be as he went from nearly a no-name to potential candidate for the Heisman throwing for over 500 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 52-28 rout of South Carolina in Columbia. Georgia put on display its depth at the running back position and Todd Gurley racked up over 293 total yards including a 100 yard kick-off return to lift the Dawgs to victory over the Tigers, 45-21. West Virginia hung around much longer than anyone wearing Crimson liked before falling to Nick Saban's squad 33-23. Virginia fell short of a huge upset over #7 UCLA at home and showed a bit of promise after posting a 2-10 record last season. LSU rallied back from a 17 point deficit to take down Wisconsin. Florida State denied Oklahoma State's upset bid surviving 37-31 in a game that was much closer than most had predicted. Finally, Auburn shutout Arkansas in the second half to secure a 45-21 victory at home. Week 2's slate of games has a few intriguing match-ups but overall is nothing to call home about. Nevertheless, its college football so we'll enjoy it anyhow. Lets take a look at some games of interest this weekend.

#7 Michigan State @ #3 Oregon 

I don't know what it is about Michigan State and head coach Mark Dantonio but they have slowly became one of those teams I just like to watch and root for outside of Clemson. The Spartans are coming off a Big Ten Championship and took care of business in the Rose Bowl against Stanford. Their lone loss came against Notre Dame. It will be interesting to see the Spartans defense which was among the best in the country last year. Can they handle Marcus Mariota and the high scoring Oregon offense that averaged a jaw-dropping 62 points per game last season? Not many people could hang with the Ducks but their competition wasn't very impressive, either. They beat #16 Washington and #12 UCLA but lost to #6 Stanford and were upset/take behind the woodshed against Arizona and just barely got past Oregon State by one point in the season finale. In addition, their best win outside of UCLA and Washington was probably against Tennessee. I know Oregon is a tough place to play but I think the Spartans roll into the Eugene and hold their own. Behind their great defense, they find a way to get it done on the road.

The Pick: Michigan State

#21 South Carolina vs East Carolina

Spurrier stated the obvious in his weekly presser previewing the ECU game saying that his guys needed to play a lot better and his staff needed to coach a lot better than they did last week if they want to improve in week 2 and moving forward. If you think they will get to take out their frustration on ECU and run up the score, you probably haven't didn't pay close attention to college football last season. The Pirates are coming off a 10- win season and averaged 52 points per game last year while giving up only 10 points per game on defense. On paper, ECU's offense looks very similar to Texas A&M and based on the Gamecock's defensive showing last week, that is reason for concern. They took down North Carolina, North Carolina State and nearly took down Virginia Tech last season so going on the road and pulling the upset in Columbia is not that much of a long shot. Senior QB Shane Carden has thrown for 7538 yards and 59 touchdowns in his career and is no scrub. With South Carolina's young secondary he should certainly be able to find some holes and move the ball. Spurrier is typically pretty good at getting his guys ready following a loss and being at home under the lights again helps, but don't sleep on the Pirates. Gamecocks bounce back but it'll be any one's game early on before South Carolina takes control in the fourth quarter.

The Pick: South Carolina

#23 Clemson vs South Carolina State

The Tigers look to get into the Win column after taking a tough loss to Georgia last weekend in Athens. While Clemson is by far the better team they still have to come out and play the game and not let last week's game linger in their minds or be looking ahead to Florida State. It should be a fun day in Death Valley with the second and third team guys getting some action in the second half. The QB debate of starting Watson over Stoudt has already begun and if you follow me you already know my thoughts on the situation. Its one game into the season, CHILL OUT. Watson looks the part and held his own in Athens and he will get his time...but that's not quite here yet. We'll get a good dose of him this weekend, however. Interested to see how the offense responds after a poor second half performance and who emerges as the leader in the running game...CJ Davidson, Wayne Gallman, Adam Choice or DJ Howard...all of which should get their chance Saturday. I heard the line for the game is set at 40...I think that's a bit much, but Tigers win comfortably and put this one away by halftime or early third quarter. 

The Pick: Clemson

#15 Ole Miss @ Vanderbilt 

Ole Miss looks to take advantage of the James Franklin-less Commodores in this early season conference clash. The Rebels find themselves in the top 15 but they won't be there long if they repeat last week's performance. Sure they won 35-13 but it was against Boise State who is without their fearless leader Chris Peterson this season. Further, the Rebels had a shaky start to the game that included 2 false starts on offense before they actually got to run their first play from scrimmage. And despite having four trustworthy running backs available, they only accumulated 71 rushing yards on the night. Coach Freeze puts some of that blame on the offensive line which will have to find a way to get it together and quickly. With road trips to Texas A&M and LSU along with with home visits from Alabama and Auburn they will have to get better at the point of attack and open up some holes so their running game can be utilized. The line for this game is set at 20 and I think that's spot on. Might not be the prettiest game ever, but Rebels get it done. 

The Pick: Ole Miss

#8 Ohio State vs Virginia Tech

Last week the Buckeyes took on Navy and early on it looked like it might end in disaster for the home team. Navy was moving the ball and Ohio State's offense was struggling with QB TJ Barrett who takes over for Braxton Miller following his season-ending shoulder injury. It was a rough start but the Buckeyes did get it together later pulling off a 34-17 victory. No doubt the loss of Carlos Hyde and Miller will hurt and they will be missed but Meyer is confident in his team and believes "they are all veterans now" and doesn't wanna hear about their youth and inexperience. Well I'm gonna talk about it anyways cause it matters and we are only in week 2. I'm a strong believer that by week 6/7/8 etc the young guys aren't young guys anymore and should know better and play better. That being said..its week TWO. Luckily, the Buckeyes don't have to face off against a top 10 team this week and can work on getting better. The only ranked team they face this season is Michigan State. The Spartans ruined the Buckeyes chance at going to the National Championship game last season beating them in the Big Ten Championship and giving them their first of two losses on the season. The schedule is very, very manageable so it'll be interesting to see how quickly Barrett and others adjust to being "the guy" and if they can make another run and grab a spot in the playoffs. (playoffs...doesn't that sound beautiful?) I still haven't quite figured out the situation in Blacksburg, VA. The Hokies haven't been themselves as of late and they just extended Frank Beamer's contract through 2019...but that's really none of my business. (insert Kermit and cup of tea)  

The Pick: Ohio State 

Other Predictions:

#1 Florida State over Citadel 

#2 Alabama over Florida Atlantic 

#5 Auburn over San Jose State 

#13 Stanford over #14 USC

#16 Notre Dame over Michigan